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ROMA at THREE RIVERS PEI Latin Mass |
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Latin Mass at Fête Roma 2005 Saturday, Sept. 24 |
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A Latin Mass was celebrated by Father James Kelly September 24 at the Roma at Three Rivers site, Highway 319 north of Montague. This form of the Mass, once common in Catholic Churches on Prince Edward Island, was a one-hour service conducted and sung in Latin. |
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Panis Angelicus performed by Jim Nimmo, Con Zaat & Frank McQuaid. |
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Once used throughout the western world because it could be understood by the educated of most countries and much loved especially by musicians for its beauty and meaning, the Latin forms of the Mass have been forgotten by many in recent years. The special souvenir order of service prepared for the occasion allowed attendees of this unique service to follow each word in Latin and in English as the priest conducted the service and the choir sang in Latin. Con Zaat’s 24 choristers produced music to stir the soul and in their 1700s clothing reminded us of those who once worshiped here with the priests of this French colonial community.
To the glory of God and in commemoration of similar services conducted here by Roma’s people in the 1700s, this Mass was part of the two-day Fête Roma 2005. Also pictured (above and its title page to the left) is a “Missale Romanum” published in Paris in 1670 and loaned to us for this event by Special Collections, UPEI Robertson Library. Photos by Sandra MacDonald |
